Honda Civic

What is it?

The 9th generation Civic has been here since 2012, 40 years after the introduction of the first Civic. It’s somewhat similar to the first generation, in terms of fuel efficiency. The 1st generation was able to run on leaded or unleaded fuel, giving drivers the flexibility to choose the cheapest fuel at the time as well as what was available. In 1975 the CVCC engine was introduced to give even better efficiency. The 5th generation of 1991 employed more aerodynamic styling to further improve efficiency. The latest model’s aim is to get lower CO2 figures and higher mpg figures. More on that later.

What should I know?

The Civic’s first million sales was reached within 5 years of launch back in 1972, since then over 20 million have been sold. Despite that, only 650,000 have been sold in the UK – a tiny 3.25% of all sold. More than 170,000 8th generation Civics were sold in Britain alone – the best looking model in my eyes.

Something else that you should know is that Honda expects its customers to be 45-year-old males. So if you’re a young buyer, you might be seen as having an old person’s car. Personally, I don’t see why it’s middle-aged men that Honda’s aiming at. It’s an attractive car for any age group, really. Oh, and if it bothers you that much, it’s built in Swindon.

Engines

There are four great engines available, two petrols and two diesels. They’re the:

• 1.4 i-VTEC
• 1.6 i-DTEC
• 1.8 i-VTEC
• 2.2 i-DTEC

Tech Specs

The most efficient engine, the 1.6 i-DTEC, will return 78.5 mpg yet emit just 94 g/km of CO2. Contrasting to the least efficient model, the 1.8 i-VTEC which has different figures for different trim levels, but returns about 44 mpg and emits 150 g/km of CO2.

Competitors

The Civic takes on different body styles across the world to adapt to its home in order to return the best sales figures. In America, it’s a saloon (known there as a sedan), similar in style to the Audi A3 Saloon here in the UK. In America, it’s up against the Nissan Sentra, Toyota Corolla and Kia Forte.

But here in Britain, it takes on the hatchback guise. This means it rivals the Ford Focus, Volkswagen Golf, Vauxhall Astra, Hyundai i30, Kia Cee’d, Seat Leon, Mazda 3, Audi A3, BMW 1 Series, Mercedes-Benz A-Class and Peugeot 308. And that’s not even all of them! The medium-sized family hatchback is big here, so they all need to have something going for them to remain competitive in the market.

It’s also offered as a Civic Tourer estate guise. This competed against the estate versions of the hatchbacks above where applicable, so the Volkswagen Golf Estate, Vauxhall Astra Sports Tourer, Hyundai i30 Tourer, Kia Cee’d Sportswagon, Seat Leon ST, Peugeot 308 SW, and the Škoda Octavia Estate (which doesn’t compete with the Civic hatchback because below the Octavia estate sits the saloon).

Just to add another category, the new Honda Civic Type-R is due for release in 2015. Expect this to compete against the sporty counterparts to the hatches above – the Volkswagen Golf GTI, GTE, GTD and R, Vauxhall Astra GTC VXR, Kia Cee’d GT, Kia Pro_Cee’d GT, Seat Leon Cupra, Audi S3, Audi RS3, BMW M135i, Mercedes-Benz A45 AMG (surely soon to be known as the Mercedes-AMG A45), Ford Focus RS (to arrive later in 2015) and Peugeot 308 R Concept.

Pricing

• S – £16,995
• S-T – £17,990
• SE Plus – £20,995
• SE Plus-T – £21,500
• SR – £23,355
• EX Plus – £25,255

There’s also a Black Special Edition available for £22,460.

Standard Kit

Entry level S models get:

• Standard 16″ alloys on i-VTEC models, Aero 16″ alloys on i-DTEC models
• Air conditioning
• Idle stop on manual transmissions
• Magic Seats
• Electrically adjustable and heated door mirrors
• Manual height adjustable driver’s seat
• Tilt and telescopic steering wheel
• All-round electric windows
• LED daytime running lights and Halogen headlights
• Aux-in and USB connections

Make it an S-T to get:

• Satellite navigation
• Bluetooth® handsfree telephone functionality

Step up to SE Plus for:

• The same 16″ Aero alloys on i-DTEC models, but 17″ alloys on i-VTEC models
• Dual zone automatic climate control with air con
• Cruise control
• Rear view parking camera
• Power folding door mirrors (you can also control these from the key fob)
• Automatic headlights and windscreen wipers
• Leather-wrapped steering wheel
• Leather gear knob on manual models only
• Front and rear parking sensors

SE Plus-T follows the same as the S-T, it just adds:

• Satellite navigation
• Bluetooth® handsfree telephone functionality

SR adds:

• Leather upholstery
• Heated front seats
• Sat nav
• Auto dim rear view mirror
• Panoramic sunroof
• Rear tinted windows

Expect the following on the top spec EX Plus model:

• Keyless entry and go
• Bi-HID headlights
• Hight beam support system
• Headlight washers

But let’s not forget about the Black Special Edition. It builds on the S spec with the following:

• Roof spoiler
• Front and side skirts
• 17″ ‘Gun Powder’ black alloys

Options

The Dynamic Pack adds a rear roof spoiler, front, rear and side skirts and an illuminated doorstep garnish. It’s available on all models excluding the Special Edition for £1,250.

Get the Aero Pack for £995 on SE Plus, SR and EX Plus. It gets you a front sports bumper and a rear diffuser.

A Bluetooth® add-on is only £295, but for £695 a rear view parking camera is yours.

With front fog lights for £395, front parking sensors for £415 or rear parking sensors for £535, you can hopefully avoid an accident.

What about a sportier look? Front skirts are £355, £300 for a sports grille, rear diffuser is £495, side skirts are £465, sports fuel tank lid is £95, or a roof spoiler is £395. Surely there’s something there that you want?

If you’re more of a family orientated 45-year-old man, Honda recommends that you buy one of the child seats available from £160 to £300. Of course, you don’t actually have to be a 45-year-old man, let’s prove Honda wrong!

Alloys are available at £795 for 17″, or £995 for 18″. Two options are offered for each size.

My Car

Unlike other cars where I’m keen to go for higher-end models for better standard kit, the Civic is an attractive offer in even base S trim! I’d go for SE Plus though.

• SE Plus-T with the 1.6 i-DTEC manual engine – £22,505
• Urban Titanium Metallic paint – £23,030
• Grey fabric interior – £23,030
• Drive Assistance Safety Pack I – £23,810
• 17″ Radium alloy wheels – £24,605
• Front skirts – £24,960
• Roof spoiler – £25,355
• Rear diffuser – £25,850
• Side skirts – £26,315
• Front sports grille – £26,615
• Rear parking sensors – £27,150